CWRS bids up as basis strengthens

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Published: November 3, 2014

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Commodity News Service Canada — Average cash bids for Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat were stronger during the week, underpinned by improving basis levels in Western Canada and stronger Minneapolis wheat futures prices.

CWRS prices were about $3.00 higher in central Alberta, up to $6.75 stronger in the Peace region compared to a week ago. The best pricing opportunities were still available in Manitoba, where prices were about $234.00 per tonne. Prices in Saskatchewan ranged from $218.00 per tonne in the north to $225.00 in the south. In Alberta, CWRS prices were quoted between $208.00 and $224.00 per tonne.

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Basis levels for CWRS moved to an average premium of almost $10.00 per tonne above the futures, from a premium of $9.15 per tonne a week ago. The best basis opportunities were in Manitoba, where they ranged from $7.00 to $38.00 per tonne above the futures.

Average CPRS bids were up by about $1.00 to $4.50 across the Prairies, with prices at around $152.00 per tonne in Manitoba, at $155 to $156 per tonne in Saskatchewan and $157.00 to $164.00 in Alberta. Basis levels were holding steady at about $62.00 below the futures.

Soft white spring wheat prices were up sharply following the CBOT wheat market, with bids up about $8.00 to $9.00 per tonne on the week, ranging from $157.00 to $160.00 per tonne in Alberta. Winter wheat prices were mixed, with prices from $3.50 lower to $3.50 higher. Values ranged from $140.00 to $147.00 per tonne across Western Canada, with the best pricing opportunities in Manitoba.

Durum prices were mixed as well during the week, ranging from $12.00 lower to $1.00 per tonne higher. Spot durum prices in southern Saskatchewan, where the bulk of the crop is grown, lost about $12.00 on average to trade at roughly $353.00 per tonne.

The December spring wheat contract in Minneapolis, which most CWRS contracts in Canada are based off of, was quoted at US$5.7425 per bushel on October 31, up 7.25 cents from the previous week.

The Kansas City hard red winter wheat futures, which are now traded in Chicago, are more closely linked to CPRS in Canada. The December Kansas City wheat contract was quoted at US$5.9375 per bushel on October 31, unchanged from the week prior.

The December Chicago Board of Trade soft wheat contract settled at US$5.3250 on October 31, which was up 14.75 cents from the previous week.

The following table provides a weekly snapshot of average published prices, available on Monday of each week. Futures vary slightly due to changes while data is collected.

Source: AGCanada.com

 

               Canadian Western Red Spring Wheat

                                         Future   Basis    Net

Manitoba                          211.08   22.83  233.90

Sask North Central        211.77    6.47  218.24

Sask South                       210.30   14.29  224.59

Alberta South                  209.71   13.53  223.24

Alberta Central              209.88   14.31  224.19

Peace                                210.03   -1.88  208.16

               Canadian Prairie Red Spring Wheat

                                          Future   Basis    Net

Manitoba                          219.27  -66.95  152.32

Sask North Central        218.88  -63.83  155.05

Sask South                       217.78  -61.36  156.43

Alberta South                  217.25  -54.20  163.05

Alberta Central               217.17  -53.12  164.06

Peace                                 217.34  -60.17  157.17

                         Soft White Spring Wheat

                                       Future   Basis    Net

Alberta South             194.65  -36.29  158.60

Alberta Central           194.48  -34.48  160.01

Peace                             193.82  -36.01  157.82

                                Red Winter Wheat

                                    Future   Basis    Net

Manitoba                         218.74  -70.98  147.76

Sask North Central        218.91  -74.68  144.23

Sask South                       217.49  -71.31  146.19

Alberta South                 217.25  -77.12  140.13

Alberta Central              208.95  -65.57  143.38

Peace                                217.34  -73.16  144.18

                                     Amber Durum

                                                            Net

Sask North Central                        356.28

Sask South                                       352.84

Alberta South                                  376.90

Alberta Central                                352.51

About the author

Terryn Shiells

Terryn Shiells writes for Commodity News Service Canada, a Winnipeg company specializing in grain and commodity market reporting.

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